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Improving Students' Web Use and Information LiteracyA guide for teachers and teacher librarians

James E. Herring

The web is now an integral part of students’ lives in school and in society, and they need to be ever more web alert in order to gain the most from their education. What teachers and teacher librarians badly need to help them achieve this is a professional tool that combines knowledge and use of the web, Web 2.0 tools and information literacy for schools.

This book fulfils that need by providing a practical guide to using the web effectively in order to enhance learning and teaching in schools. It does this by focusing on the knowledge and skills needed by teachers and teacher librarians to be information literate web users and to develop these abilities in their students. It then focuses on using Web 2.0 tools to create learning resources for students which will develop them as reflective web learners as well as web users.

Key areas covered include:

learning and teaching in today’s schools

finding and using information on the web

evaluating websites

Web 2.0 and schools

information literacy

improving student use of the web

developing learning websites for student use

the next phase of ICT in schools.

Set in a context of theory, this guide offers many examples of best practice in schools from a range of countries. Packed full with ideas which teachers and teacher librarians can use in their own schools, it is unique in providing a guide to the creation of learning websites, which combine subject learning, mediated resources for students, information literacy guidance (including effective web use), and student assignments.

Readership: This much-needed book is a vital resource for teachers and teacher librarians, as well as being of strategic interest to school principals. It should be on the reading lists of all trainee teachers and librarians.

Introduction

The aims of this book

The structure of the book

Who should read this book?

1. The big picture: learning and teaching in today’s schools

Introduction

The purposes of education and schools

Learning theories

Teaching in schools

Incorporating the web into teaching

Collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians

Conclusion

References

2. Finding and using information on the web

Introduction

Search engines

Effective searching

In-service training on effective searching

Conclusion

References

3. Evaluating websites

Introduction

Website evaluation criteria

Conclusion

References

4. Web 2.0

Introduction

What is web 2.0

Conclusion

References

5. Information literacy

Introduction

Definitions of information literacy

Information literacy models

Information literacy and transfer

Collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians

In-service training on information literacy

Conclusion

References

6. Improving student use of the web

Introduction

Planning for web searching

Using effective search strategies

Evaluating websites and web-based information

Reading for information

Reflecting on web use

Developing a personal model for web use

Conclusion

References

7. Developing learning websites for student use – design and tools

Introduction

Learning websites

Website design

Website development tools

In-service training on website design

Conclusion

References

8. Developing learning websites for student use – content

Introduction

Subject content

Developing e-pathfinders as learning websites

References

9. The next phase of ICT in schools

Introduction

21st-century skills

Future developments on the web

Future learning technologies in schools

Future roles for the teacher and teacher librarian

Developing information literate students

Conclusion

References

Bibliography

"This should be added to everyone’s professional bookshelf and their library collections for others to access. More than one would be preferable in a school library so that those keen staff members who have been inspired by their teachers can take it, digest it and use it." - Access

"...well laid out and clearly written...a valuable resource...I would recommend this book to librarians, teachers and school managers who want to ensure their students have the information skills they will need in today's society."- New Library World

"Each well-structured chapter follows the same format stating clearly its scope, with individual introductions followed by helpful headings, and completed with conclusions re-emphasising the coverage, supported by lists of references. There is of course a comprehensive index, and the chapter references are compiled together to form the bibliography, which in itself makes for an interesting read...here is a book that should be passed around the staffroom to various members whether they are practitioners and teachers or those deciding on the curriculum content."- eLucidate

"Herring teaches the teacher and the librarian about the continuing importance of strengthening the information literacy skills of all students whilst continuing to strengthen their own. He includes useful suggestions for in-service training, does not expect teachers to implement changes all at once, but encourages and persuades, lending a helping hand with plenty of excellent references, resources and ideas. This book will soon become an indispensable tool for teachers, teacher librarians and librarians alike. Web proficiency and information literacy are skills that we cannot afford to ignore, both as a society and as those responsible for the teaching of young people. Herring provides a much needed guide to ensuring that we continue to do our very best to remain web and technology savvy amid the process of strengthening the education of young people."- Library Review

"This book is packed with brief but enlightening case studies; the perfect learning tool for any busy teacher or teacher librarian. It is visually attractive with plenty of screen shots enabling the reader to see at a glance the layout or appearance of a lesson plan, a web page and other useful materials. Herring outlines for the librarian and the teacher the continuing importance of strengthening the information literacy skills of students whilst at the same time strengthening their own. He includes useful suggestions for in-service training but does not expect teachers to implement changes all at once. He encourages and persuades, providing help via plenty of excellent references, resources and ideas. Herring’s book is an ideal resource for teachers and teacher librarians, a useful and accessible tool, a quick guide to the best use of emerging technologies in a school environment."- Journal of Information Literacy

James E Herring PhD MA(Lib) MA(Hons) is a Lecturer in Teacher Librarianship at the School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Australia who teaches from his home in Scotland for most of the year. He is an internationally acclaimed authority on information literacy and ICT in schools.